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Woodland planning commission recommends update to fire impact fees
Summary
The Woodland Planning Commission voted to recommend Ordinance No. 1580, updating collection of fire impact fees under Woodland Municipal Code 3.41; staff said the change aligns Woodland with Clark County Fire Rescue calculations and preserves ADU reductions required by state law.
The Woodland Planning Commission voted to recommend Ordinance No. 1580, which updates the city's fire impact fee schedule and collection procedures, to the City Council after a staff presentation and brief questions.
Travis Goddard, community development director for the city of Woodland, told commissioners the proposal implements updated capital costs from Clark County Fire Rescue and the district's adopted capital facilities plan. Goddard said existing rates (shown in the ordinance packet) include $15.30 for single‑family residential and $14.26 for multifamily, while commercial development is charged by square foot at 51 cents per square foot. Under the staff recommendation, single‑family rates would decrease to $6.54 and multifamily rates to $3.08, while commercial and industrial rates would rise according to the district's calculations. Goddard also noted state law limits accessory dwelling unit (ADU) fees to 50% of the primary structure's rate (he calculated the ADU fee as $327 as an example based on the proposed single‑family rate).
Goddard explained the legal authority for collecting impact fees derives from city code (Woodland Municipal Code 3.41) and state statute cited in the packet. He clarified these are one‑time fees, collected with building permits, and intended to pay for capital capacity (fire stations, engines or ladder trucks) rather than for operations or recurring maintenance.
No members of the public spoke in opposition. After clarifying questions, the commission took a roll‑call vote; Commissioner Brian Matson and Commissioner Sharon Watt voted aye and the chair announced "the ayes have it." The action recorded in the meeting was a recommendation to the City Council; any change in city fees will require Council adoption before taking effect.
The commission's action sends the draft ordinance and the staff recommendation to City Council for review and potential adoption. Staff also left a recommendation letter related to the fire impact fee for a commissioner to sign before leaving.
